Sunday, December 16, 2012

Momma's Hands

Good morning precious ladies,



Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
 Proverbs 31:31

This picture is one of the last pic's I have with my Momma. My Tressy took it for me. For some reason as a girl I loved to watch my Momma's hands work. Whether it was cooking......which you couldn't find a better cook. I would ask for a recipe......she would say, "I don't have one". She would add a little of this.....and a little of that......and it was always delicious! Just the other day my sister Shannon was saying she was making Momma's Spanish Rice and it wasn't tasting like hers. She said that she wished she knew the special ingredient that made it taste like hers. You know you always think you will get your Momma to write them down and you don't. After she couldn't talk anymore it was to late. For all you younger ladies who are caring for your Homes, make sure you get your Momma's recipes......glean from her wisdom while she is with, one day you will be the one that will take over. 

 I have another memory of when my family was homesteading in Alaska. Daddy was building our home.....right under a huge mountain......and a running beautiful creek next to it. Heavenly way to grow up. Sounds like a Little House on the Prairie story, but it was a special time in our lives. We lived without electricity (we had a generator until we did), kerosene lights......I loved the noise they gave off and no running water from a faucet. 


Daddy put a red hand pump in the kitchen for Momma. Oh how many times on the farm I wish I had it with me here!  I remember watching my Momma take the handle and pump it up and down to bring the coldest water in the world it seemed into my cup. Memories etched in our minds for times like this. This is the first time that now I am "the Grandma." I don't feel like I am old enough for this. 60 sounds young, but I know it is my turn. I can say it feels different. Not sure I can explain it. I loved knowing Momma was the matriarch even though she didn't know what was going on for sure......it was her place of Honor. It was a secure feeling for me to always know she was kept safe and waiting for me in the nursing home. Change, I looked in the dictionary the meaning, "the substitution of one thing for another." That is what is hard thing for me.......as I am alone with out her........I didn't want to be the substitution. I wanted to be just the daughter. Will I learn to live with it....of course. I will take the batton.....I may drop it a few times along the way......but she taught her children well...to love their children. The key ingredient for me will be Jesus. I will read His Word. I will trust His wisdom. I will submit to His will. She is "really" safe now. I won't go to the nursing home to see her ever again. The next place will be heaven.....I will get to hold her hand.....it always was a secure thing for me. 


Here is a pic of our CHRISTmas when I was young with my brother Bud, our Little uncle, myself and sister Shannon. This CHRISTmas will be different without Momma. God in His mercy has provided for my sis and I to be together for the first time in many years. It will be a sweet thing! God is the giver of the best gifts! 

Now I  will hold my sweet family and grandchildren's hands Letting them have ice cream for breakfast! I have realized over the years.....that Momma's and Grammies make times special in their children's lives!  Change..... just happens........sometimes you will never be ready......but Jesus is enough for everything that comes our way! So ladies.....if your Momma's are still living.....give them a hug for me. After all is said and done.......I think I will go back to the nursing home.....and find a precious lady who needs a daughter. Their was a lady in the room with my Momma. Her name was Donna. She couldn't talk either, but when I talked her on the last day......I could tell by her smile and eyes......she is probably the one! 

Today is SONday........hope you will find rest. I will be with our middle son and family. Celebrating Josh's birthday......he was born on CHRISTmas Day years ago....I will enjoy the celebration!

Shanny is coming on Wednesday......I will be waiting at the door! My heart is full.......sad.......the whole gamut! Thank you for your prayers.......I love you all very much. I am not just saying that.....you have become my family......even more now! 

If you have a story to share with about your loss.....I want to hear. 

Hugs to your day from the farm,

Linda

13 comments:

  1. Linda,

    What sweet memories you have!! It is so funny that you also mentioned your mom's hands. Just last week, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, lost her grandmother and she also had a picture of her grandmother's hands and remembered them and cherished them. I hadn't thought much about it before, but I remember my grandmother's hands. I was in the 10th grade when she passed away and haven't reflected on that for a long time. And my children have come over to me before and touched and felt my hands.

    These reflections has brought to my mind verses in I Thessalonians 4:11-12 - about hands -- "and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one."

    Thank you for the encouragement today to minister to our families and others with our hands and for the Lord.

    God Bless you and Merry Christmas!
    Nancy Mosley

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  2. I just hung up on Skype with my own dughters and grandchildren. all so busy. Today they are celebrating Christmas with each other. The kids all exited after their first time of spending the night together. Oh just being able to play and have fun together. They don't get to see each other much. They only had time to say hi and love you. but they were excited too to know that I was on. I have learned to take the small things and treasure them. the "GRAMMY!!!!" the waving the a small hand. ...I can't wait to get home and hold that same hand while we walk and talk about all kinds of things. Love you!! Praying.

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  3. I'm so sorry for your loss, Linda. I'm glad you have wonderful memories of your mom to treasure.♥ What lovely pictures...I enjoyed your story about growing up.
    Change isn't easy, but with God's strength and help, we get through each day because He is so very good.
    My mom and I are very close, though we don't LIVE close. We try to visit each other often, and make the most of our time together.
    Praying for God's comforting arms (and the arms of your dear family & friends) to wrap around you during this difficult time.♥ God bless you.

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  4. Sweet memories you have. Something to always cherish.

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  5. You have many great memories. Although Christmas is a sad time for us to lose a loved one, think of the birthday party she is getting to attend this year in heaven for Jesus!

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  6. Linda, my heart hurts for you, we know where your mom is and that it is better, but....it still aches! Just envision God wrapping his loving arms around you and your mom....and rest well tonight. Love to you, Marcia Luebbe

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  7. Such a treasure...that picture! I have some photos of my Mum's hands, too, and they are so beautiful to me! Lovely post...makes me cry :)

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  8. Yes, family is precious. Many years ago, I asked all of my extended family for family recipes. I put together a recipe book and gifted each family. Back then I put it all on a floppy disc. That's how long ago. I am working on making another one again. My kids are asking me for recipe books of treasured recipes now.

    Thanks for sharing such wonderful memories.

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  9. This is a precious memoir, Linda. It touches my heart. Your mama is in the arms of Jesus now. Oh, what a wonderful CHRISTmas gift. I pray that God will continue to bless your outpouring of His love to all your family. You will always be His daughter and dearly beloved. Love you!

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  10. I'm thinking about you today Linda. This is so hard. Even when expected, it is just hard to stay behind. I'm praying for you now.

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  11. Oh Linda such a precious memory! On Sunday my sis was in her attic. She found a huge box of photos. She bombed the phone all day sending them over. I found one, she was dressed like a nun for All Saints Day and I an angel! Touched my heart! I was lying in bed a few nights earlier and my Uncle Sam came to mind! He was very artistic and when I was a kid I was chosen to be the angel to hold the star over the Baby Jesus at the school play. He made my halo from a wire coat hanger and cut my wings from heavy cardboard and I was the best angel! Oh such memories! I will scan my photos and put them up. God is so good to us. My heart has been so heavy with the events of Sandy Hook. My heart breaks for each family. Yet I know each of the precious little ones are safely in His loving arms!
    Enjoy your time with your phamily. Love to you!

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  12. Your hands photo is so beautiful. Occasionally my girls and I do that so we will always have our hands in print. Such a sweet memory of your momma. Love you!

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God Bless your day!